Danielle’s Comments (group member since May 19, 2014)

Danielle’s comments from the Danielle L. Jensen's Reader Group group.

So this is the beginning of a little something that's been sitting in my best drawer. It's a prequel scene from about two years prior to the events of STOLEN SONGBIRD, and it's from Pénélope's point of view.

Some background to the scene... Pénélope's hemophilia was revealed in a very dramatic fashion two weeks prior. Tristan and her sister were duelling in front of the court, and a blade broke, one of the splinters of metal injuring her in front of everyone.

Pénélope does not know about Tristan's plans to overthrow his father, and she believes his bad attitude towards half-bloods and humans is real (which is one of the reasons she doesn't like him). Tristan, Anais, Marc, and the twins have chosen to keep her in the dark to protect her from her father, the Duke.

After her affliction was revealed, the King broke off the betrothal between Anais and Tristan, and Pénélope blames herself for how much that hurt her sister. But, as you all know, Tristan knows nothing about that.



The sharp clang of steel against steel made my hand twitch and my paintbrush along with it, leaving a streak of black where none had been intended.

“Drat,” I muttered, accepting the proffered rag from the half-blood standing behind me and dabbing at the errant bit of paint.

The swords crashed together again and, despite having heard the sound countless times and knowing I’d hear it again, I flinched. I wondered if ever again I would not.

Sighing, I rested my wrist on my knee and shifted to watch my sister fight. Anaïs was harrying her opponent backwards across the yard, dulled practice blade flashing with the skill not of one trained since she was old enough to hold a sword – though she had been – but of one who had been born to battle. She fought as I imagined a viper would, so quick I scarce saw her move but she was there, her deadliness a matter of speed and agility rather than brute strength.

My eyes took in the whirl of motion, envisioning how I might capture it with paint, but my hands almost instinctively reached for my pencil and sketchbook, because nothing else would ever capture my sister’s exquisite beauty and strength better than the crisp lines of black against a plane of white. Anaïs needed no embellishments, and that’s all color would be.

She feinted left but struck right, her blow landing square against her opponent’s side with an audible crack. Tristan swore and stumbled back, his gloved hand pressing against ribs that were almost certainly fractured.

I swallowed hard, trying my best not to think of the bones knitting and reforming, bruises rising and fading within seconds. Or to think about what happened when they did not.

“I can’t recall the last time I bested you at this, Anaïs,” Tristan grumbled, hand dropping away from his side. “It’s not very sporting if I’ve no chance at winning. My pleasure in your company is diminished by the broken bones.”

Anaïs smiled and slapped the flat of her blade against the palm of her gloved hand. “Are you suggesting that I let you win, Your Highness?”

“Would that be so dreadful,” he asked, closing the distance between them, his cheek curving up with a smile as he gazed down at her.

For a handful of seconds, her face was filled with the naked adoration of a girl well and truly in love. And my heart broke, the sharp little pieces digging into my soul as I watched her bury the feelings behind a cocky smile, her blade flicking up to catch him beneath the chin with its tip.
“Yes, it would,” she said. “If you wish to beat me, you’ll merely have to try harder.”

The two stood silent and unmoving, and I knew that a conversation passed between them in the silent language of those who knew each other as well. It was beautiful and wretched, and my eyes moved involuntarily to the image on my canvas.

“Enough banter.” Marc stepped out of the shadows where he had been leaning against the wall, smacking the sword he held into both their ribs, driving them apart. “Tristan, I saw Anaïs’s feint plain as day, and you would have, too, if you’d been paying attention.”

My heart beat faster in my chest as he walked between them in my direction. Then he stopped, knocking a fist against an invisible barrier blocking his path. “Anaïs, let me through.”

She blanched. “Oh. Sorry, Marc. I–” Breaking off, her eyes went to mine, then away.

My stomach clenched. Bad enough that she’d been protecting me, but worse that she hadn’t wanted me to know she was doing it.

The guilt on Anaïs’s face. The pity on Tristan’s. I hated both sentiments, but the last thing I wanted was to make my sister feel worse, so I said nothing. Dipping my brush in a pale grey, I turned back to my work, hoping my expression wouldn’t betray me.

Marc stopped next to my easel, and though I did not take my attention away from my careful brushstrokes, I felt his presence keenly. My skin prickled, not unpleasantly, and I was sure that even if I had been blind and deaf, I still would have known it was him standing beside me. Tristan and Anaïs were not the only ones who had known each other for a long time.

“She’s only trying to protect you, Pénélope,” Marc said, his voice soft.

“And she is wise for it.” I added a touch more black to my grey. “Perhaps if she had always been so vigilant, circumstances would be different.”

The truth always outs… My father might not have cared to believe it so, but there had always been a certain inevitability of my secret – my affliction– being discovered. If only it had delayed its happening, its discovery might not have even mattered. And even if it had, certain things could not be undone. Like the bonding of two trolls.

“But she was not, and they are not,” he said. “And Anaïs blames herself for what happened. It was her blade that shattered.”

“And his that broke it,” I hissed, furious that my sister should feel guilt when Tristan did not.

“Do you think he doesn’t know that?”

I lowered my brush, not wanting to touch this particular piece with anger in my heart. “Can we please not discuss it. Already it weighs upon every aspect of my life, and I hoped to find some respite from it here.”

“Of course.”

The twins’ manor was the unspoken neutral ground between us all. The one place where we forgot the alliances and rivalries of family, blood, and rank, and where only our friendship mattered. I glanced up to where the two fifteen-year-old giants stood silently balanced on one foot on a wall far above us, faces bent in concentration as they carefully removed one block at a time from a tower puzzled together between them. Their mother had died in childbirth and their father days later from the shock of the loss, and the two had been raised by half-blood servants with only minimal interference from the crown. As such, their politics were very much based on their own unique views of our small world. Friendship mattered a great deal to them, and they had no tolerance for infighting between us six.

“May I see what you’re working on?” Marc asked.

My heart beat a little faster at the question, but if I hadn’t been ready for him to see, I wouldn’t have brought the canvas with me. “If you like.”

He came around the easel, and I held my breath, waiting for his reaction. I’d been working on it before the accident, but had only recently been able to complete the finishing touches.

He stiffened, and my heart sank. “You do not care for it?”

“No. It is wretched to look upon.”

His voice was strangled and strange in my ears, and mortification flooded through my veins. Always I was shy to show my work to others, but never in my wildest dreams had I thought that Marc would be the critic I’d draw harsh words from. I wanted to snatch up the canvas and run, but where would I go? Everywhere I went, everyone knew the truth about me. And rather than a haven, my home was now a hell bent on punishing me for my weaknesses.

“Of all the subjects you might have chosen, why did you paint me?”

The plea in his voice stole the breath from my chest. Rising to my feet, I let everything in my hands fall to the ground and caught gently hold of his sleeve. “Why should I not paint you?”

“Because no matter how good your work, it isn’t anything that anyone would want to look upon.”

“Why not?” I asked, hating his words. “I want to look upon my friends, always, but you make it so difficult, which makes this painting mean more. Because it’s made from the precious few glimpses I’ve been privileged enough to have. I paint those I care about.”

“Then paint Anaïs. Or the twins. Curses, Pénélope,” he snapped. “Paint Tristan. With your talent, they’d probably hang it in the gallery of the Kings.”

For weeks my chest had felt like a powder keg waiting for a spark so that it could explode. But this moment felt like the powder keg had been tossed on a bonfire.

“How dare you suggest I paint him? How dare you!” I screamed the words, but they felt like they’d come from someone else’s lips. Like some wild and maniacal girl had taken control of my body and my voice.

I let her.

Marc took a step back, his eyes wide with astonishment, but it wasn’t really him I was angry with. Turning on my heel, I stalked towards Tristan, his blank, unreadable Montigny face fueling my fury. “Of course I should paint you! Why should I, or anyone, paint anything else? Our world is cursed. Everyone is sick or twisted or dying from the iron and the darkness. Every last one of us, except for you!”

“Pénélope, stop.” Anaïs stepped between us, her face pale. “Don’t do this. Don’t say something you’ll regret.”

But what she meant was, please don’t say anything that would turn him against her. After everything, she still wanted to protect him. Still wanted to be with him. It had to end. “Move.”

She shook her head, and I knew I couldn’t force her. Anaïs was stronger than me in every possible way.

“Let her say what she wants to say.”

Anaïs hesitated, then reluctantly stepped aside. But she’d accomplished what she intended. My anger faltered, because I knew that dragging their broken betrothal out into the open wouldn’t matter to him. He was a black-hearted Montigny snake who cared nothing for anyone or anything but power. All I’d do was hurt the one person I cared about more than anything: Anaïs.

“Born perfect into a decaying and dying race,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Gifted with the beauty and grace of the kings of old and a power not seen since Alexis himself. How can the broken ones like us compare with you and your…radiance?” I spit the word in his face.

Something flashed across his face, a hint of emotion. A trace of…guilt? Then he sighed. “I’m sorry that fate was not kinder to you, Pénélope. I’m sorry for the part I played in the hurt that was done to you. But I had no more control over how I was born than anyone else.”

“I know.” My lips felt numb, and I turned away from him. The twins had come down from the wall to stand next to Anaïs, but my eyes were all for Marc. Tristan was his cousin and closest friend, and I knew he was loyal to him to fault. All of them were, and I knew that what I intended to say would all but assure my eviction from our circle of friends.

But I said it anyway. “I’ll never paint you, Tristan. I paint those I love. Not those I hate.”

Ellie wrote: "I'm so crazy about my bookshelves. I have my favorite series, on top, in order, and I like having them all in the same way, pb or hardcover or ebook.

I actually like Tristan’s friendship with Ana..."

Hi Ellie,
I'm glad you are enjoying the extra scenes! A lot of the information provided in those extras would be spoilers for people who hadn't read Stolen Songbird, but it's fun to reveal more detail to those who've read the novel :)

Christa wrote: "I have a set of built in bookshelves by the fireplace in the den. My big comfy chair is next to it and that's where I spend most of my time reading. When I first moved in there was no rhyme or reas..."

Hi Christa,
I really like your answer for #5 *grins*

Rachmi wrote: "1. I used to organize my books based on the author’s names. Not necessary in alphabetical order, but just organize it from one author to another. For my favorite authors, I usually have more than 3..."

Hi Rachmi!
It's been really interesting for me to read everyone's reactions to Anaïs. The extra that you readers are working to unlock is a prequel scene about 2 years in advance of the events of Stolen Songbird, and it is from Penelope's point of view. Tristan, Anaïs, Marc, and the twins kept Penelope in the dark about their revolution in order to protect her from the Duke, so she believed that the way Tristan acted towards half-bloods and humans was the truth. Needless to say, she's not his biggest fan!

Erika (The Nocturnal Fey) wrote: "And once again, I'm late for this week's discussion, but better than never. :p

1. I organize my books based first on genre, then by author and series, and lastly by format (hardcover first). I hav..."

Hi Erika,
I also really like (fictional) relationships that start out with hate or dislike and progress to love. I think it's because they have so much more to overcome, which makes the progression of the relationship much more exciting. Can you name some other books you enjoyed that have relationships like that?

Cynia wrote: "1. Bookshelves: I don't purchase a lot of books anymore, I let the library do it for me. Last year they purchased 32 books out of 6o that I requested. Mainly my shelves have childhood books and ant..."

Hi Cynia!
I'm not sure I'd have done anything in Cecile's situation, either. I'd like to think that I'd be brave, but I typically avoid conflict, so I'd probably have gone running to get Marc or the twins to help :)

Who do you think is worse? The King or the Duke d’Angoulême?

Abby wrote: "1. The way I organize my bookshelves is by preference. Like I put my favorites on the first shelf and then go from there. I'm an organized freak when it comes to my books and I love when they're on..."

Hi Abby!
That's a good answer to #5. Certainly by the end of Stolen Songbird it is clear that the King is manipulating Tristan, and that remains a theme throughout the novels. One of the big plot lines in Warrior Witch surrounds the relationship between the two of them, and it was one of my favorite parts of the novel to write.

How do you feel about the King? Do you hate him or do you love him because he's a good villain?

Thissi wrote: "1. I usually organize my bookshelves from size so it looks more clean or if it works out I like to organize them by colour so it all kind of blends in nicely with each other. I don't usually get ri..."

Hi Thissi!
I love when people organize their bookshelves by color. It's perhaps not the most practical, but it LOOKS SO PRETTY! Do you take photos of your books?

Audiobooks make good gifts, so even if you don't listen to them, you can always give your prize to a friend :)

Post your favourite quote from STOLEN SONGBIRD for a chance to win BOTH the STOLEN SONGBIRD & HIDDEN HUNTRESS audiobooks (via Audible/Amazon). One entry per person! Giveaway closes March 18 at 11pm ET. International.

You need to be registered at Audible or Amazon to redeem the giveaway code – if you aren’t, you'll be prompted to register prior to redemption – but you do NOT need a paid membership plan.

Kelsea wrote: "1. Oh boy my bookshelf is crazy packed with so many books (and more on my kindle shelves!). I actually organize them by genre first (like Tudor historical fiction, magic fantasy, etc) then by heigh..."

Hi Kelsea!
I'm also looking forward to having Warrior Witch on my shelves - it goes to the printers at the end of the week :D

You must have A LOT of books to organize them by topic. That reminds me of how a library is organized O_O

Morgan wrote: "2. How do you feel about Tristan’s friendship with Anaïs? Does it bother you that they had a history, of sorts? Do you like her or hate her, or are you indifferent to her character? Would you be in..."

Hi Morgan!
Have you read this? http://www.leeanna.me/guest-post-dani...

Nicole wrote: "Oh how I love the "behind the scenes" pieces of information! It's super interesting to learn about how Stolen Songbird evolved until it's final version, and all the thought you put into it when wri..."

Hi Nicole!
Guess you better not let me near your bookshelves! Nothing would be in order by the time I was done digging through them :D

As both an author and a reader, I love when what seems like a small little detail turns into a really big plot point. The challenge is making the detail noticeable enough that people retain the information, but not so noticeable that they guess where I'm going to go with it :)

Makenna wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Makenna wrote: "#1 I actually have two bookshelves one if for my favorite book of all time and the other is for books I collect over time. I have had to do some reorganizing and pl..."

That's a good list of books!!

Zoe wrote: "1. I actually need more own bookshelf (I share with my dad). I organize my section by alphabetical order in terms of series/singular books. I get rid of books that I DNF. I ALWAYS reread books. Esp..."

Hi Zoe!
I also think it would be a bit unrealistic for Tristan to never have had interest in other girls before Cécile. And truthfully, I have always believed that him having had prior (minor) relationships/flings made what he felt for Cécile stronger and more meaningful. It isn't just the excitement of a first relationship and all that comes with it that draws him to her – it's Cécile herself.

Karim wrote: "1. You'll love this answer. I mostly only own ebooks now. Since print books tended to be more expensive , I prefer them anyway, especially with my bad back that makes carrying print books difficult..."

Hi Karim!
WOW! That is one full ereader!!! I don't organize my kindle, either *hangs head in shame*. It's just one long list of titles, so it takes me forever to find things.

You raise a very good point about it seeming out of character for the King to consort with half-bloods, but obviously it had to happen for Lessa to have been born :)

Pili wrote: "#1.- Now that I have a library room (*flails*) I am finally organizing books properly, but in my own way... I have it separated by read and unread books & series, but then... I don't do alphabetica..."

Hi Pili!
I'm sooooooo jealous of your library! After I had my baby, I had to give up half my office for all the guest room furniture, and now it's all squished and not the way I want it :(

Nicole wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Nicole wrote: "1. Danielle, your shelves look WAAAYYY better than mine! I only have ONE shelf and it's about half the size of yours. But... I have about 80 books or so, and they do..."

I'm quite introverted as well, so I totally understand!

Anaïs is quite intimidating: she's beautiful, smart, and powerful. BUT she's also been made to feel like she's worth nothing because of the affliction that runs in her family. Cécile's arrival is really hard on her, because not only does she feel like she's losing Tristan, she feels like she's losing her friends. Marc, Vincent, and Victoria spend all their time with Cécile, and because of who she is and the role she must play, Anaïs has to stay away. Which is why when Cécile lashes out at Anaïs's behaviour, Marc is quick to defend her, saying “Anaïs is very unhappy, Cécile. And you don’t know her well enough to judge her.”

Nicole wrote: "1. Danielle, your shelves look WAAAYYY better than mine! I only have ONE shelf and it's about half the size of yours. But... I have about 80 books or so, and they don't exactly fit. So my books are..."

Hi Nicole!
College IS expensive! I never used to get rid of books, but when I started running out of space, I figured I might as well get rid of stuff that I didn't really like. Usually I donate them to charity book drives or libraries, that sort of thing.

Do you think it would have bothered you if Tristan had history with another girl, period, or was it Anaïs in particular that bothered you?

ShinHyunRin wrote: "1. A. There is nothing special in my library. Now I see it, my study desk is pretty messed up and heavenly full of books. So I wonder now how am I supposed to do with the upcoming books.
B. Yes, bu..."

Hi Shin!
Awe! Glad to see an Anaïs fan in these threads! Have you read this? http://www.leeanna.me/guest-post-dani...

It's a letter written by Anaïs talking about her backstory :D